How to Root Arborvitae Cuttings

An evergreen common as a specimen plant, as a privacy hedge or along a border, arborvitae (Thuja spp. or Platycladus spp.) grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 6 through 11, depending on the species. You can purchase a young plant from a nursery, or perhaps try your hand at planting its seed. According to North Dakota State University, though, propagating arborvitae from cuttings is "sinfully easy." Therefore, save yourself some money and trouble, and take a few cuttings in fall or early winter. Within a month or two, your arborvitae will become its own plant with its own roots.

1

Select a thriving arborvitae and choose a long side stem less than one year old from which to take the cutting. Cut the tip from the stem with a pair of hand clippers so it is about 6 to 10 inches long.

2

Fill a 4- to 6-inch container with moist sand. Snip the bottom 1 to 2 inches of needle-like leaves and make a fresh new cut at the bottom of the stem. Insert the bottom, bare portion of the arborvitae stem into the sand.

3

Insert three or four sticks, pencils or other similar objects around the arborvitae cutting. They should be about 1 to 2 inches taller than the cutting. Mist the cutting with a spray bottle, then loosely drape a plastic bag over the cuttings to help keep the area humid.

4

Place the cutting out of direct sunlight at 60 degrees Fahrenheit or warmer. Mist the cutting with water one or two times a day to keep it moist. In four weeks, begin to gently tug on the cutting every few days. Within six weeks, you should discover that it has begun to form roots.

About the Author

Melissa Lewis is a former elementary classroom teacher and media specialist. She has also written for various online publications. Lewis holds a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the University of Maryland Baltimore County.